Principals news Week 3 Term 2

Every student engaged in deep learning for success
Last Friday our Senior Hub 2 children (Year 6, 7 and 8's) had a chance to share their inquiry projects to visitors, parents and other children. The hall was alive with the sound of enthusiastic chatter as everyone focused on engagement in deep learning. Many of the children took their learning to the "extended abstract " level and applied their relational thinking into an authentic context. This refers to the SOLO model for the application of deep learning. You can learn more about this at our Family Learning Hui this evening. For those of you who can't be there, I will share some of this in my principal's blog next week.

Visitors this week

We were privileged to host staff from across the South Island this week. The Deputy Principal Helen Kennedy and a colleague Carolyn Williams from Waverley Park school in Invercargill, spent the day exploring learning spaces and talking with children and staff. 

Their immediate comments were how they were impressed with the: 

• beautiful feeling in the school
• warmth and openness of the staff
• visually attractive, colorful and inviting learning spaces
• respectful, enthusiastic and engaged children willing to share their learning

Our second group of visitors were participating in a middle leadership workshop led by the renowned leadership coach and mentor, Murray Fletcher from the Otago Centre of Leadership. There were eighteen participants from across North Otago and South Canterbury from both primary and high schools. This was the first of four workshops that Miss Huls and Mr Cartlidge are participating in. Mrs Burke did the same leadership course in Dunedin last year and found it extremely valuable. 

Mother's Day

We wish all mums a very special Mother's Day on Sunday and thank you for the love you share with your families and friends. 
Every blessing to you all as we continue to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.